Residents object to solar farm

A PROPOSED solar farm in Charvil could result in flooding in the village, say residents.

A PROPOSED solar farm in Charvil could result in flooding in the village, say residents.

Suncredit UK has applied to Wokingham Borough Council for an environmental impact assessment of the 12-megawatt farm at South Park Farm, off Loddon Drive. The land, which is close to the River Loddon, is currently used as a sheep pasture.

Chris Tinker and David Eager, who live in Thames Drive nearby, have objected.

They said: “While we are both environmentally aware and generally supportive of all things renewable, this land is not suitable for a solar farm. It has several switching stations which take up several square feet each and will compound the intense flooding issues faced by local residents.

“This land should remain in agriculture and under any sensible sequential test should be a last resort for a solar farm or any other use.”

The men said villagers had been prevented from building garages and outbuildings due to flooding concerns and the same measure should apply to businesses.

Under Suncredit UK’s plans, the 54-acre site would have photovoltaic panels arranged in rows. The company says these would generate electricity which would then be exported to the National Grid. Construction would take up to 12 weeks and would include the installation of transformers and security measures.